"Influencers" is a term being used as the descriptor of a person who appears on the Internet, usually on YouTube. They may have a gimmick or a line of goods they tout. The idea seems to be try to be interesting, provocative. Just today, I learned of the book by Taylor Lorenz, a woman who is well-known for her coverage of internet happenings. It is called "Extremely Online".
When I began teaching at UW-SP (1968), computers were new. Television was not new but computers enabled inexpensive transmission of coordinated speech and pictures. The University of Wisconsin had arranged "distance education" since the 1920's but it was hand-written papers mailed to an instructor. The recent covid measures reminded many of us of the difference of face-to-face human behavior vs. mechanical simulations of classroom interaction. When teachers are required to get master's degrees, they work on advanced degrees or certificates after a day of teaching. Teachers in Rhinelander, Wisconsin have to drive 90 miles for a class at Point through bucks chasing does randomly and without warning. Collisions between cars and adult deer can kill, and injure humans and cars. So, transmitting a good signal between campus and high school can be a big help.
The emergence of the internet and computers eventually enabled anyone to start a blog for free. Bingo! 100,000 thousand people all over the world are enthusiastic followers of your teaching, your dog training advice and your puns. Jones Shoes will pay you to mention the virtues of their products and you are launched as an influencer.
